Travel has played a central role in shaping Ramsey Elkholy’s approach to music. Long before founding Monotronic, he spent years moving between countries, experiencing different cultures and environments. These experiences continue to influence how he writes, produces, and understands sound.
One of the most significant aspects of travel is exposure to unfamiliar rhythms and structures. In India, Elkholy studied music that emphasized repetition and variation, offering a contrast to Western songwriting conventions. In Indonesia, he encountered natural soundscapes that felt complex and immersive, with layers of noise blending into something almost musical.
These influences are not always obvious, but they are present in the way Elkholy constructs his tracks. Rather than relying on predictable patterns, he often builds songs that shift gradually, allowing different elements to come in and out of focus. This creates a sense of movement that reflects the experience of being in a constantly changing environment.
Travel also shapes Elkholy’s relationship with space. Writing music in places like Tulum, Mexico, introduces a different pace and atmosphere compared to working in a city studio. These changes in environment can affect everything from tempo to tone, resulting in music that feels connected to its surroundings.
For Elkholy, travel is not just inspiration—it’s part of the creative process itself. It provides new ways of hearing and understanding sound, which then become integrated into his work with Monotronic.